Encephalitis toll rises to 41 with four more deaths

With four more children dying with symptoms of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Muzaffarpur district the AES toll in the state rose to 41, Health department sources said on Thursday.

Two children each have died in the Srikrishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) and Kejriwal hospital respectively since last night due the AES, Muzaffarpur Civil Surgeon Gyan Prakash said. So far, 41 children have died due to the outbreak of the AES in Muzaffarpur district since May this year, Prakash said.

Meanwhile, the District Magistrate Anupam Kumar has directed the Civil Surgeon to ensure adequate medical facilities in the villages itself to provide treatment to the AES-affected patients to prevent mortality due to the disease. Kumar has further directed the local officials to take necessary measures for vaccination of the children and also to ensure cleanliness and hygienic condition in the villages to prevent occurrence of the disease.